Real Ice Pilots

Imagine an international community where you don’t require a passport or your wallet, where one day you are taking in the stunning scenery and the next battling with extreme whiteout conditions. Welcome to the life of a British Antarctic Survey pilot. Airliner World’s James Ronayne reports.

British Antarctic Survey’s Air Unit operates four Twin Otters and a single Dash 7 in support of polar science.
ROD ARNOLD/BRITISH ANTARCTIC SURVEY

Pilots at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) are subject to some of the most demanding operating environments on the planet. From the gruelling journey south to Antarctica to remote operations in the field using unprepared landing strips, the pilots’ skills are tested to the limit.

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